Pakistan PM Gilani to quit if SC rules against him

Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is believed to have made up his mind to step down if the Supreme Court comes up with an "unfavourable decision" in the contempt case against him.

Gilani is under immense pressure to reopen graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari, and his failure to do so till now has led to contempt proceedings against him in the country’s top court.

The PM reportedly made the decision after consulting the leadership of the Pakistan People's Party and its allies in the ruling coalition.

The PPP leadership decided that Gilani would tender his resignation before the Supreme Court in person if he faced any "situation" in the contempt case.

The PM will tell the court about the government's constitutional stance on the issue of presidential immunity.

The Supreme Court resumes hearing on the case today. On Monday, the contempt proceedings against PM Gilani were adjourned as his counsel Aitzaz Ahsan was unwell.

A seven-judge bench headed by Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk is hearing the contempt of court case against Gilani for failing to act on the apex court's earlier orders to reopen graft cases against President Zardari in Switzerland.

The apex court has been pushing the PPP-led government to revive the cases against Zardari since December 2009, when it annulled the National Reconciliation Ordinance, a graft amnesty issued by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf.

The government has refused to act, saying the Constitution gives the President immunity in Pakistan and abroad. Gilani has said he would prefer to be jailed in a contempt case launched against him by the apex court for not reopening the graft cases.

Pakistan SC to indict PM Gilani with contempt of court

Pakistan's embattled Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani was on today indicated by the Supreme Court for contempt of court over his refusal to reopen graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.

A seven-member bench of the Supreme Court said that Gilani was given two years to act on its repeated orders to revive cases of alleged money laundering against Zardari in Switzerland but he failed to comply.

All the judges on the bench concurred with the charges and signed the chargesheet. 59-year-old Gilani, who was personally present in the court, was asked whether he understands the charge against him, to which Gilani said, “I have done no wrong.”

Gilani refused to accept the charges and maintained that President Zardari enjoy immunity. Importantly, the Prime Minister was asked to stand on the rostrum as the charges were read out against him.

Meanwhile, the hearing on the contempt case has been adjourned till February 27. PM Gilani has been exempted from appearing in person during the next hearing.

Also, the Attorney General has been asked by the court to submit relevant documents by February 16.

On February 22 and 27, the prosecution and defence would put up evidence.

With Gilani refusing to bow down, the stage is set for a protracted battle in the court. Gilani is the first Prime Minister of Pakistan to have been indicted for contempt of court.

The Prime Minister had, earlier too, appeared in the court when it took up the contempt case on January 19 and said the government could not reopen the cases against the President because he enjoys complete immunity in Pakistan and abroad.

Refusing to buy his arguments, the SC told Gilani that he had no option but to write to Swiss authorities to revive graft cases against Zardari as no one was above the law.

If Gilani is convicted, he could be imprisoned for six months and face possible removal from office after being disqualified from holding public office for five years.

Pakistan's I&B Minister Firdaus Ashiq today backed PM Gilani, saying the Constitution provides immunity to President Zardari.

However, legal experts pointed out that the President had the power to pardon him after his conviction. SM Zafar, a noted lawyer and parliamentarian, said such a presidential pardon would apply only to the punishment handed down by the court while the conviction would remain on record.

Therefore, the premier could be disqualified despite the pardon, he remarked.

The apex court has been pressuring the government to reopen the cases since December 2009, when it struck down the National Reconciliation Ordinance, a graft amnesty issued by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf that benefited Zardari and over 8,000 others.

President Zardari enjoys immunity, Gilani tells SC

Amidst tussle with the military, beleaguered Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday arrived in the Supreme Court to respond to a contempt notice issued to him for failing to reopen graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.

Gilani is appearing before a seven-judge bench headed by Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk, which summoned him to explain his refusal to write to Switzerland authorities to reopen graft cases against the President.

During the contempt proceedings in the court, the Pakistani PM said the Pakistani Constitution guarantees immunity to Zardari, hence no letter was written to Swiss authorities to revive cases of alleged money laundering against Zardari.

Showing great respect to the judiciary, the Pakistani PM said he cannot even think of committing contempt. I have been to court many times before and have also served a six-year jail sentence earlier, said Gilani during the contempt proceedings in the court.

Gilani's lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan maintained that Zardari enjoyed immunity under Article 248 of the Constitution.

The Cabinet ministers are also present at the apex court to show solidarity with the PM.

Meanwhile, special security arrangements have been put in place in Pakistan's Supreme Court for the PM’s appearance today.

The Supreme Court said it had made special arrangements for security, proper decorum and smooth functioning of the court.

These arrangements include special security cameras that have been installed in court rooms and at entry gates and reception areas and special passes to regulate access to the court complex. Even journalists who regularly cover Supreme Court proceedings will be allowed to enter with passes.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Wednesday reviewed security arrangements on the eve of the Premier's appearance in the court. He chaired a high-level meeting during which he instructed the Islamabad Police chief to stop general traffic in the Red Zone, a high-security area in the heart of the city, from midnight till proceedings are over in the court.

Malik ordered police to maintain three cordons of security around the Supreme Court. The entry will be manned by the Supreme Court Security Police personnel and the outer cordons will be the responsibility of police and paramilitary personnel.